The Lung Attack Alert Study

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the 4th leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. COPD is now seen as a disease that is both preventable and treatable. In order to better facilitate treatment for these patients, a number of consensus guidelines have been developed to help physicians in the diagnosis and chronic management of these patients. However, a number of studies have shown that implementation and adherence to the guidelines by physicians, both at the primary care and specialist level, remains poor. Similar argument can be made for asthma: its a common disease, its readily treatable, and guideline compliance is low.

Patients who experience an Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) or asthma have an increased risk of serious adverse events, and therefore, must have their management optimized to improve outcomes. These patients most often are evaluated and treated in their local emergency departments (EDs) for the acute episode; however, follow up care is often left to their primary care physician (PCP). The national rate of patient compliance for follow up with their PCP within the first month following an AECOPD is unknown, however, locally, it is only 30%. Similar local statistics are available for asthma From this, it could be inferred that there is a poor rate for any adjustment in chronic management after an AECOPD or acute asthma presentation and therefore an increased risk of future exacerbations.

It is our belief that informing the PCP that their patient experienced an acute COPD or asthma ED presentation, with a form that provides details of the acute management along with an update of the current guideline recommendations, will improve follow up, compliance with current guidelines and the quality of life for patients with COPD or asthma.

Inclusion criteria

• Appropriately signed and dated informed consent has been obtained;
• ED patients presenting with an acute exacerbation of COPD requiring treatment in the ED;
• Previous physician-diagnosis of COPD (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis or COPD) either previously or within the ED;
• Age > 40 years of age;
• Current or former smokers of more than 10 pack years (number of packs of cigarettes {or pipe and/or cigars) smoked per day X the number of years of smoking);
• FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7 for age, sex and height (either known or determined within the ED);
• Patients can read and comprehend English language.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients presenting for prescription renewal;
• Patients who require hospitalization;
• Patients who do not have a primary care physician or patients for whom a family physician cannot be found;
• Patients who have already been enrolled in the study;
• Patients with a ED physician-diagnosis of primary asthma, pneumonia, HIV/AIDS, immuno-compromise, or life expectance of < 90 days;
• Patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, should be excluded.